Indian vernacular architecture

Indian vernacular architecture has evolved organically over time through the skillful craftsmanship of the local people.

A kachcha is a building made of natural materials such as mud plaster, bamboo, thatch and wood and is therefore a short-lived structure.

The practical limitations of the building materials available dictate the specific form which can have a simple beauty.

In hilly country where rocky rubble, ashlar, and pieces of stone are available, these can be patched together with a mud mortar to form walls.

The roof is pitched to deal with the monsoon season and the house may sit on raised platform, plinths or bamboo poles to cope with floods.

In the south, clay tiles are used for pukka roofing while various plant material such as coconut palm is common for the Kamchatka.